Hughton was left to reflect on a missed opportunity to put Norwich's poor festive run to bed while also getting one over on his former employers, who sacked him so harshly after just 14 months in charge.

Russell Martin clipped a post in the second half and Grant Holt went close with a header in injury time, but otherwise the Canaries lacked a cutting edge up front and their set-piece play was poor.

"There was a lack of confidence in our offensive play, possibly," the Norwich manager said.

"We had plenty of three on two situations but we couldn't find the final ball.